We had written this morning about how unlikely it is now for the Premier League to resume the season because of the risk of the coronavirus pandemic making a comeback.
The medical argument against coming back is a strong one even though lots of money will be lost to football clubs if they can’t compete this season.
There could even be a crisis, especially with the lower league clubs, if the season is canceled, and it could play absolute havoc with football.
FIFA’s chief doctor Dr. Michel D’Hooghe has told BBC Sport that it will be dangerous to restart the season.
Dr. Michel D’Hooghe – FIFA Doctor – it can be a matter of life and death
This is what the Chairman of FIFA’s medical committee has told BBC Sport:
“My proposal is if it is possible, avoid playing competitive football in the coming weeks.”
“Try to be prepared for the start of good competition next season.”
“There is a risk and it is not a risk that has small consequences,”
“It can have consequences of life and death and that is why I am so careful and I ask everyone to be very careful before deciding to play again.”
“I speak as a medical doctor, I don’t have to speak as an organiser of matches, but for the moment from my medical standpoint I would be very skeptical.”
“How will you avoid direct contact?” “That is my question.”
“For the moment the criteria means it is absolutely difficult to say that we can play competitive football and believe me I regret it profoundly because I am a football man.”
“I am a little bit afraid that to have a complete solution we will have to wait until we have a vaccination program.”
“But I think the time has come now to think of some hygienic rules.”
“For instance to avoid spitting – why do we have to see that in football and not in other sports?”
“This is one of the things we have to consider because this is a real danger in the future.”
It seems it’s a balance against lives lost and money lost – we’d go 100% for money lost and save as many lives as possible.
Slowly but surely, European leagues are starting to close down with news yesterday that the French Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons have been canceled.
The Eredivisie was canceled last Friday with no promotion or relegation and no champions.
If that stance is taken by the Premier League, it’s going to be heartbreak for Liverpool – for sure.
But that’s excellent news for the bottom three clubs – Norwich, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth.
Comments welcome.
97 comments so far
Reilly
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:00 PM
Comment #1NUFC 360
@NUFC360
·
22s
Mauricio Pochettino is the number one managerial target of the new #nufc owners for next season. [Sky Sports News]
?
AncientC
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:03 PM
Comment #2Just going back to that A.F. moment; you have to give credit to Carver for getting under Alex Ferguson’s skin. Fergie was absolutely fuming when he came out with his “wee club” barb. Pardew and Carver had Ferguson spitting feathers.
Almost as great a moment as Demba Ba returning to St. James’ with Chelsea, and getting a squashed nose courtesy of Coloccini. Benitez was Chelsea manager at that point, and was none too happy. (We won 3-2 that day).
Anglo Saxon
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:04 PM
Comment #3You would have to be brain dead to NOT take that information on board and implement it.
JDdubai
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:05 PM
Comment #4Whether its Poch, Rafa or whoever, we will get behind them 100%.
the point is it isnt Ashley, whoever is manager now will be looking to move forwards.
#pochettoono.
geordietom
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:08 PM
Comment #5poch it is then , announcement of the takeover soon …
Anglo Saxon
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:09 PM
Comment #6Mauricio Pochettino is Newcastle’s prospective new owners’ number one choice to be the next manager at St James’ Park and they are willing to pay him £19m a year to take charge of the club
geordietom
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:10 PM
Comment #7as i said earlier void the season makes sense imo…
Lindisfarne
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:13 PM
Comment #8I thought Rafa was supposed to be one of the best paid on £6M?
barkel
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:14 PM
Comment #9£19m a year!? Surely that can’t be right.. that’s just over £365k per week
Jib
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:14 PM
Comment #10Newcastle are willing to make Pochettino the highest paid manager in the Premier League by offering him £19m a year. Their second option is Rafa Benitez. [Sky Sports News]
Anglo Saxon
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:15 PM
Comment #11https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/11980486/mauricio-pochettino-newcastles-prospective-new-owners-no-1-choice-to-take-charge
Lovem or Hatem
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:15 PM
Comment #12I want Allegri
martoon
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:15 PM
Comment #13That tweet by Fun88 has been removed – what did it say?
DubaiMicky
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:15 PM
Comment #14Anglo – £19m a year? £365,000 a week, £52,000 a day (if he works weekends), surely not?
Lovem or Hatem
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:16 PM
Comment #15Also why is he being paid £19 million a year – that is too much
Jib
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:16 PM
Comment #16It looks like these footers are serious
Novocastrian66
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:17 PM
Comment #17I wonder if that includes bonuses.
Jib
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:17 PM
Comment #18martoon
It was a gif of a beer can being opened
DaveD1000
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:17 PM
Comment #19Martoon
a cartoon of #cans
Anglo Saxon
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:17 PM
Comment #20BRING IT ON.
Lindisfarne
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:18 PM
Comment #21I agree, invalidate the season and everything starts again the same as this season. All the European competitions use the same qualifiers again. The only question is will UEFA provide any type of refund for those teams that have invested in promotion and currently in a qualifying place.
Jib
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:18 PM
Comment #22Sponsors will scrambling for a piece of NUFC action.
One way or the other we’ll never be out the news
martoon
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:19 PM
Comment #23Jib & DaveD1000 – Cheers – that is hopeful as you would expect the sponsor to be kept in the loop especially as they’ve now removed it – quite telling I think (or is it just hope?)
toon22
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:21 PM
Comment #24Jabba has a history of hoying in the spanner at the 11th hour
It’s typical of him when he’s dealing with his tat shop suppliers
He likes to try and squeeze a bit more from the other party using every underhand tick on the book
I’m guessing the stories of other buyers are part of that, he likes to keep the pressure on
He’s not sold us yet
toon22
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:21 PM
Comment #25JIB
You mean Sunderland?
ShirebrookToon
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:22 PM
Comment #26It’s closing in boys and girls. Strap yourselves in. This is gonna be one hell of a ride
#CANS
hibbit
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:25 PM
Comment #27this justjust the press getting carried away, Poch will be well paid on half of that,
£19m a year is pure sensationalism and scare mongering on Sky’s behalf,
just shows how little they actually know that they have to make stories up
lochinvar
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:26 PM
Comment #28Can we shake our #CANS and then open them ?
Is that allowed under lock down restrictions ?
lochinvar
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:27 PM
Comment #29£19million over a few years maybe….
the crown princes nashers
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:27 PM
Comment #30some of the wages these managers get here and in europe is even worse then the players, not worth it poch to get 19m a year must be crazy
DaveD1000
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:27 PM
Comment #31Froggy
put the cans in the fridge that other buyer story lasted for all of an hour
Lindisfarne
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:27 PM
Comment #32Very much like SKY to add a one on
Reilly
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:28 PM
Comment #33NUFC 360
@NUFC360
· 3m
If the Pochettino deal falls through, former Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is expected to return to St James’ Park. [Sky Sports News]
Lovem or Hatem
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:29 PM
Comment #34Well if I can’t believe Sky about the salary – I won’t believe about Poch be No.1 choice!
Bills Son Is Back
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:30 PM
Comment #35£19M three year contract more like it.
The Hit Man & Her
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:30 PM
Comment #36Wltoon I see the point you are trying to put forward but suggesting man city were just an also ran Lancashire team isn’t really the case. In recent memory for younger ones there’s the slide down the divisions and back up but they won the fa cup in 69 (I was there as a young lad, scary standing and had to be propped into a barrier to see ha ha and the goal was scored at the far end seemed like a mile away) and win league cups and charity shield in the 70’s, an also ran team doesn’t field the likes of Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee (best buds with George best at the time i think) under mercer and Allison – and they are unfortunate to be under the heavy shadow of their neighbours but not really viewed as a nonentity club.
hibbit
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:31 PM
Comment #37toon22 @24
He has mate your days as the frog are into the final hours 😉
Anglo Saxon
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:31 PM
Comment #38Reilly, Rafa returning means he’s 7 million better of that his 12 mill in China.
RobLeenio
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:32 PM
Comment #39“But I think the time has come now to think of some hygienic rules.”
“For instance to avoid spitting – why do we have to see that in football and not in other sports?”
Absolutely agree – I’m an avid anti-spitter, I hate it. The kids see the footballers and rugby players spitting and think it’s fine to do, so they do it too.
Gross!
Saw an awld gadgee wandering up my street the other day, gobbed right on the path. In the middle of this virus pandemic?
Nearly made me retch!
RobLeenio
Apr 29, 2020 at 12:34 PM
Comment #40I can see £18M in one season as the max, including bonuses for winning cups, reaching Champs League etc. I don’t see it as a straight up salary and I can’t imagine he’ll be qualifying for those kinds of bonuses in the first two seasons of being appointed.
Delighted if he proved me wrong, of course.